The Lost Lair of Kechal Alinke

500 YEARS AGO, the Draconic Wars erupted when the dragons of the world were birthed from erupting volcanoes. The dragon army bent the smallfolk to their will, reshaping the land and destroying entire nations. Armies and heroes fought back, however, and after years of war, the smallfolk managed to defeat the dragons.

But the world lay in ruins—much was destroyed, from vast libraries of knowledge to sweeping forests and mountain ranges. Much was lost or buried forever, and an era of rebuilding and recovery began.

Now, nearly five centuries later, a group of archaeologists from the University of Olmarus are conducting a dig in a desert canyon, where they have uncovered what they believe to be the entrance to a long-lost draconic temple. Your players will join the archaeologists to lend a helping hand in uncovering a half-millenium’s hoard of secrets—and surely treasure.

I originally built this adventure as part of a game in my homebrew world called Paiat, but I have adapted it so it should slot into almost any high or low fantasy setting. It takes place in the country of Olmarus, but it could be adapted to any setting with a volcano or mountain.

I have written this primarily as a puzzle-solving, role-playing, and exploring adventure, but I have also included two opportunities for battles. I have not chosen specific statblocks for these creatures, as this depends on your characters’ levels (and what RPG you’re playing).

I usually play 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons, but this adventure is designed with no ruleset in mind and does not refer to any specific game mechanics. Statblocks for NPCs, magic items, and DCs for skill checks should be decided by you.